Want to put a little George Takei in your living room? Microsoft can make it so, thanks to the Actiongram app for its HoloLens mixed-reality headset.
Takei, who played Mr. Sulu in the “Star Trek” original series 50 years ago, makes his debut as an Actiongram character just in time for today’s release of an open beta version of the app for developers.
Like Actiongram’s other characters, Takei’s 3-D projected image can be inserted into the HoloLens view of a real-world environment. You can record the video of the resulting interactions, and share it with your friends and the rest of the world.
Microsoft’s aim is to give HoloLens users the ability to wield computer-generated video effects as adroitly as a bare-chested Sulu wielded a rapier in “The Naked Time.” As Takei would say: Oh myyyyy!
“Oh myyyyy” is part of the catalog of catchphrases that Takei recorded during his motion-capture sessions with the HoloLens team. His character also can let loose with a gut-busting laugh, spar with boxing opponents, initiate a tickling attack … and yes, even wield a rapier.
The Actiongram app lets users shrink down Takei and other characters to fit on a tabletop or the palm of your hand.
Takei, who is continuing with his acting career and also has taken on a huge advocacy role for LGBT issues since his days on the Enterprise, got a kick out of interacting with his own character in a HoloLens living-room demo.
“We talked about holograms on ‘Star Trek,’ and to actually be doing that, in reality, today – it was a lot of fun,” Takei said in a video about the experience. “Technology, and being a part of it at the cutting edge, is a thrill that very few human beings get.”
Just watch out, George. Spend too much time in the HoloLens universe, and before you know it, you will be assimilated.
